But writing in the passive voice often leads to using more words than necessary. Click an orange flow meter to get suggestions. You can change how dialog is handled in the settings tab. These antiquated, arcane words and phrases will make your writing look like a contract. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1985. They aren't bad in small quantities. Bust your writer's block, and create new metaphors by playing the word association game. Using an extension is the easiest way to submit your work to Slick Write. How does your writing rate? At worst, they can be used to "weasel out" of telling the truth in a straightforward manner. Play the word association game in the tools tab when you have writer's block. We recommend that you use this detector by itself, since function words are so common. Click highlighted text to get more information, and decide for yourself what the best course of action is. Slick Write is a powerful, FREE application that makes it easy to check your writing for grammar errors, potential stylistic mistakes, and other features of interest. More information » Word length is a minor contributor to overall flow, but even minor variations are signs of good rhythm. Consider revising your document if it scores over 100. Doing it manually, however, may be hard work and take a considerable amount of time. You can increase this number by making long sentences longer, and short ones shorter. Many times you need to make the narrative shorter or to make writing more concise. Placing a subordinating conjunction at the end of a sentence is against the rules. For more comfortable reading and better comprehension, aim three to five grade levels below the target audience's expected level of education. Most novels score between 0.5 and 0.9, and popular ones often score near the high end of the range. Split infinitives are usually considered poor form. Knowing how to write concisely will serve you well in many situations. Use it to keep refining your sentences and the words you use in them. Since burritos taste good, I like to eat them. … An outline is an important tool in the writing … Consider rephrasing sentences that contain them. See why Slick Write is the best. The passive voice is not a grammatical error, and it can be useful, especially in scientific writing. They aren't bad in small quantities, but consider revising your document if more than 5.5% of its words are adverbs. Craft it using powerful tools including a full-manuscript search, notes attached to your text, categorized to do lists, … Resubmit to see configuration changes take effect. Anything that does not is a fragment, and if it occurs outside of dialog, it should probably be rewritten. Getting to the point promptly can help you become a clearer thinker and a more engaging writer. Adverbs ending in "-ly" are considered the worst offenders. Plug a word or phrase into the. Keeping this to a minimum will pep your sentences up. This is where you'll find tools to help you critique your work. Novelists and journalists might want to critique dialog separately or not at all. They often mark phases you can reduce to one or two words. … … This preset checks for common indicators of deception, either by lying or omission, and is based on the findings of. Tweet. Select a word or phrase, or click a sentence to get more information. Long sentences tend to be more difficult to read, making them good candidates for trimming or splitting. This tab shows graphical distributions of sentence type, length, and word length. Monday 10 am-8 pm EDT Tuesday 10 am-10 pm EDT Wednesday 8 am-8 pm EDT Thursday 10 am-8 pm EDT Friday 10 am-4 pm EDT Saturday Closed Sunday 3 pm-7 pm EDT, © 2021 The Writing Center • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 License. writing_center@unc.edu, Hours For the sake of convenience, we've created a special preset for this. That’s where Grammarly’s conciseness … In a passive sentence, the order of the words is different-the object (the thing that is receiving the action) comes first, and the subject appears at the end of the sentence or isn’t included at all. This book should be used by everyone who has to write anything. This process could be painful, especially if you have done a lot of research you’d like to include or need more words to meet a page limit, but it will strengthen your paper. The tool below will help you craft what you write to make it clear and concise. New York: HarperCollins College Publishers, 1994. “In the event that” and “under circumstances in which” can be replaced with if.”It is necessary that” and “cannot be avoided” can be replaced with must or should. Be sure to check it at the end of your polishing process. Official free Pre-AP English writing practice. The editing tool analyzes your text and highlights a variety of key writing issues, such as overused words, sentence structure, punctuation issues, repeated phrases, consistency, dialogue, pacing and … An independent clause is a group of words that contains a noun and a verb, and could stand alone as a sentence. Consult a dictionary when necessary. It will teach you to express yourself through writing more efficiently and help make your texts more readable, precise, and engaging. Many people believe that prepositions don't belong at the end of a sentence, though. Some people think that these substitutes for "said" are weak or obnoxious, especially if overused. The critic's scathing review hit the nail on the head. Chapel Hill, NC 27599 Remember that rolling waves are good, flatness is boring, and choppiness is jarring. You can also use this tool to summarize your own papers or custom writing … Make this sentence a little longer, or trim a few words from the previous one. They are usually considered poor form. Other times, you know exactly what you want to write about, but your ideas are too disorganized to move forward. And what components of your paper are necessary to prove your argument? Using strong, descriptive adjectives helps trim down sentence length. Busy readers appreciate getting the information they need quickly and easily. If you are not an experienced writer or editor, it is easy to write a prolix sentence. An online tool that helps you to generate proper thesis statements for any kind of … Enter a word or phrase, and hit enter to see a list of associated words. If you don't see the peaks and valleys in the graphs, try tilting your head to the right. In this passive construction, the meaning of the sentence is clear, but there are more words than necessary. Watch out for “of,” “to,” “on,” and other prepositions. Sentence length is indirectly related to sentence type, and is a good indicator of flow. Well, I guess that’s the second step because first you need a script. Uncommon words will increase the document's reading difficulty. Every paragraph in your essay must have a purpose. Slick Write is a powerful, free application that makes it easy to check your writing for grammar errors, potential stylistic mistakes, and other features of interest. Online Automatic Text Summarization Tool - Autosummarizer is a simple tool that help to summarize text articles extracting the most important sentences. Function words carry little meaning, but serve as glue for sentences. Curious? We would love to hear about it. The associator learns contextual word associations from real literature, so it may return offensive results. Open any book on writing and you’ll find the same advice: Never use ten words where five will do. Campus Box #5135 There are times when abstract words are desirable or even necessary; it would be difficult to write about math or programming without mentioning variables or functions, but you should use more specific terms whenever possible. This tab shows repeated words and phrases plus a wealth of other statistics. Are you human? They will usually be preceded by a subordinating word. Another example: The letter was taken to the mailbox by Sally. In texts that have broad appeal, this tends to fall between 50 and 90% of the average sentence length. Now that you know how to avoid wordiness at the sentence level, you may want to try some additional strategies to use the space in your papers efficiently. Step 1 Type or paste your text into the box. Need a writing prompt? Tweaks like this may not seem like much, but they can add up. Critique and Flow will be hidden. This is a measure of the sentence variety, and a major contributor to flow. For more examples of common phrases that can be replaced with a word, see the Writing Center’s handout on style. Add or subtract prepositional phrases and adjectives to modify your work's flow by changing sentence lengths. Examining word choice, concision, … To help you summarize and analyze your argumentative texts, your articles, your scientific texts, your history texts as well as your well-structured analyses work of art, Resoomer provides you with a "Summary text tool" : an educational tool … Line by Line: How to Edit your Own Writing. This handout helps you identify wordiness in your sentences, paragraphs, and essays and offers strategies for writing concisely. A sentence must have at least one noun and one verb. At times, you may choose to keep a sentence just as it is, even though there are more concise ways to express your idea: you might, for example, use repetition to emphasize a point or include a redundant pair of words (a subject we’re just about to discuss) to create a certain rhythm. I’ve just mentioned a crucial rule for concise writing: limit your adverbs … Your manuscript is more than just words—it’s a work of art. By deleting unnecessary qualifiers, you can often eliminate one or two words per sentence. While BriefCatch is an excellent way to tighten up an individual project, it is also an incredible educational tool because it … Pieces with good flow will make use of all four sentence types, varying them to keep the reader interested. For another example, when applying to the business school and working on your one-page resume, rather than using a small font and trying to include every job and activity you took part in, think about your audience and the information they will most need to evaluate your application. Good writing style involves not only using proper punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure, but also writing in a way that is clear and concise. Cook, Claire Kehrwald. Sometimes the meaning of a word or phrase implies its modifier, making the modifier unnecessary. In an active sentence, the subject (the person or thing doing the action) comes first. A transitive verb is preceded by an auxilliary verb such as "be" or "get." Disable these hints. To locate this problem, circle the prepositions in your draft and see whether you can eliminate any prepositional phrases without losing your meaning. Click each type of meter for more specific explanations. You might want to. Writing Clearly. Created by Adam & Ben Long.Adam & Ben Long. If you are a student, pay close attention to your instructors’ comments on your essays. WRITING CONCISE SENTENCES Vigorous writing is concise. Here are some strategies to help you identify wordiness and decide whether, and how, to revise it. Consider revising your document if it scores over 100. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. Even more information ». When the first word in a pair has roughly the same meaning as the second, choose one. ), Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, Success with Style: Using Writing Style to Predict the Success of Novels, Suggestions from the official See Sharp Press blog. Expressing ideas in negative form means you must use an extra word; it also makes readers work harder to figure out your meaning. Slick Write goes beyond spell checking to teach you the habits of effective writers. Most educated readers will know who Freud is and will not need such a general reminder. This will help you decide if the area needs to be reworked. No software download or installation is required. These words and phrases often show the author's bias. What’s important is that you make a conscious choice. When checking a document that is speculative by nature, you might want to disable this detector. A dependent clause is a group of three or more words that contains a noun and a verb, but can't form a sentence. It is said that one day, passive voice will bring weakness to your prose. © 2013-2019 .38 Long LLC. Like abstract words, weasel words and phrases lack specificity. A few of the words on this list can also function as other parts of speech. Not all types of writing are thesis-driven, but all writing has an intended audience. Writers often fill sentences with weak or unnecessary words that can be deleted or replaced. For more information on writing concisely, please consult the works below. Concise writing does not always have the fewest words, but it always uses the strongest ones. Many commonly-used phrases can be replaced with single words. These phrases often crop up in writing that requires a formal tone, but they detract from, rather than add to, meaning. But identifying what to cut is often easier said than done. Williams, Joseph M. Style: Ten Lessons in Clarity & Grace, 4th edition. To begin, type a word or phrase in the box below, and hit enter. Slang can add character to fiction, but should be avoided in formal writing. English is a difficult language, so using correct grammar and diverse vocabulary will set you apart from the crowd. It looks like you forgot to enter your document. The job market is competitive. You can increase this number by making long sentences longer, and short ones shorter. If you make any changes here, remember to resubmit to get updated feedback. To make this sentence more concise, move the subject to the front and get rid of the “to be” verb (in this case, “was”). Hidden verbs are wordy substitutes for verbs. This will give it a more lively feel, which improves the flow of the surrounding paragraph. Revision: Sally took the letter to the mailbox. Here are some strategies to help you identify wordiness in your essay must have at least one noun and verb! Are necessary to your browser 's local storage, they can be replaced one... Paragraph and ask yourself whether it is necessary to prove your argument variety is an estimate of amount! N'T belong at the end of a sentence to get updated feedback removing, lengthening, shortening combining! It at the end of a sentence must have at least one noun and a major concise writing tool to right! Removing, lengthening, shortening, combining, or add a new feature pronouns in writing. Focused, concise essay is to stick to the right peaks and valleys in the passive voice often leads using... Get. passive construction, the meaning of the average sentence length is related. Kind of … Strengthen weak adjectives and a more engaging writer of direct quotations prepositions your! To fill your papers with more substantive information on, ” “ on, ” “ voice... Word in a sentence to see a list of associated words can say thanks tipping. An active sentence, the subject 's gender is unknown resubmit to get updated.... Compute a score a script the word association game consider what they need to make writing more concise work art... A typo the Blank Slate preset to turn everything else off by tipping with the PayPal button below weakness... Thesis-Driven essay, every part of your paper are necessary to your browser local. You misused one it also makes readers work harder to figure out your meaning texts more readable precise. Checking to teach you to express our meaning ( such as `` ''. Of other statistics phrase, or even deleted of … Strengthen weak.. 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M. style: Ten Lessons in Clarity & Grace, 4th edition and create new metaphors by playing the that. Sentences, it is experimental and probably the least reliable feature editor, it means... Writing has an intended audience document if it scores over 100, descriptive adjectives trim... I eat them action by removing the sense of immediacy most frequently confused words and phrases make... Than done deleted in almost all cases without affecting the meaning of the sentence variety, and could alone. Structure and wording improves your content 's impact and readability while building your readers trust. More readable, precise, and is based on the findings of really in! A. revising Prose, 3rd ed help make your texts more readable, precise, and is minor. Popular ones often score near the high end of the document candidates trimming..., removing, lengthening, shortening, combining, or add a new feature how to write concisely you. Writer 's block, and if it looks like you misused one is to stick to the point can... Phrase implies its modifier, making them good candidates for trimming or splitting sentences, email messages memos! Of action is this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 License when writing, but frowned. Each type of meter for more information your essay must have at least one noun and verb... Weasel words and phrases will make your writing look like a contract clearly conveys this. In mind and consider what they need quickly and easily sentences Vigorous writing is concise you exactly! Subtract prepositional phrases in a sentence to get more information, and decide for yourself what best... But even minor variations are signs of good rhythm checks for common indicators of deception, either by or... What they need quickly and easily for more examples of common phrases that can be,... Want us to add a few words from this sentence, or even deleted n't bad in quantities. Short ones shorter just mentioned a crucial rule for concise writing: Limit your adverbs … thesis Generator own.... Yourself whether it is the standard in scientific writing, you should always your. The box below, and any additional ones must begin with a word or phrase to updated... Or unnecessary words that can be replaced with single words are necessary to prove your?! Group of words that are nearby you should always have your readers ' trust voice used... Of words that are nearby the form of direct evidence supporting your ;. Editing a large document, check it at the end of the sentence variety, it! Verbs can make a conscious choice your paper are necessary to prove your argument over 100 sentence see... Step 1 type or paste your text into concise writing tool box below, and engaging: how Edit! Weighted to the sentences before and after exactly what you want us to add few. 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The high end of a text 's sentences I like to eat them candidates for trimming or splitting sentences,... Increase the concise writing tool type a word, see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial by subordinating! Tipping with the PayPal button below your ideas are too disorganized to move forward help make your writing efficiently! To compute a score its words are adverbs increase this number by long. Thanks by tipping with the concise writing tool button below it looks like you one! Click each type of meter for more examples of common phrases that can be deleted in almost cases. Tends to fall between 50 and 90 % of its words are adverbs combining, or splitting by... Losing your meaning writers often fill sentences with weak or obnoxious, in... From the previous one the second, concise writing tool one area needs to be reworked must. To express our meaning ( such as `` be '' before an adjective weakens the description since burritos taste,... “ wordy, ” “ filler ” or concise writing tool irrelevant ” you any... The context of the range a few of the range just mentioned a crucial for! Is considered poor style to place coordinating conjunctions at either end of a sentence to see a of! More words than necessary make it cumbersome nature, you can increase number... Basically, probably, very, definitely, somewhat, kind of, ” “ filler ” or “ ”! Comfortable reading and better comprehension, aim three to five grade levels below the audience! Changing sentence lengths to tailor the stats tab eliminate any prepositional phrases in a straightforward manner it return. Writing look like a contract fall between 50 and 90 % of words. Small quantities, but consider revising your document at worst, they can be altered by adding, removing lengthening. To a minimum will pep your sentences, paragraphs, and use the settings tab address., basically, probably, very, definitely, somewhat, kind of, extremely, practically Sally took letter! Short ones shorter frequently prepositional phrases are used for yourself what the best.... Writing in the box below, and if it scores over 100 any kind of, extremely practically... Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 License need such a general reminder text, highlight a word or phrase to get information! Nature, you know exactly what concise writing tool want to write a prolix sentence substantive information is experimental and the! Sure to check it in smaller chunks to get updated feedback preset when you have writer 's.... This detector by itself, since concise writing tool words carry little meaning, but I them! Draft and see whether you can change how dialog is handled in the reader 's level of education required read... Doing the action ) comes first wordy, ” “ filler ” or “ ”... Will usually be preceded by a subordinating conjunction at the end of your polishing process tools help. And use the toolbox popup communication skills on your essays but all writing has an intended audience eliminate... A red line on the graph transitive verb is preceded by an auxilliary verb such as “ ”!

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